Combination chock and fairlead fitting

ABSTRACT

A combination chock and fairlead fitting for boats and the like is disclosed wherein the chock base and head portions are recessed in the entrance of an upwardly open well in the platelike top or deck member and a passage comprising a fairlead is formed in the adjoining plate-like side or hull member which adjoins the deck member. The fairlead passage extends directly into the well at a level beneath the chock. The fitting can also serve as a built-in scupper for vessels requiring the same.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,747,554 Allen 1 July 24, 1973 COMBINATION CHOCK AND FAIRLEAD 1,691,412 11/1928 Ruetz et a1 24/129 R FITTING 3,190,253 6/1965 Grlmm 114/218 [76] Inventor: Rudolph A. Allen, 4561 Lake Washington Blvd. N.E., Apt. 103, 'f Kirkland wash 98033 Assistant Examiner-Gregory W. 0 Connor Attorney-Chr1stensen & Sanborn [22] Filed: June 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 149,719 [57] ABSTRACT A combination chock and fairlead fitting for boats and [52] 11.8. CI. 114/218 the like is disclosed wherein the Chock base and head [51] Int. Cl B63b 21/06, B63b 21/16 portions are recessed in the entrance of an upwardly [58] Fleld of Search p we in the plate like p or deck member and 3 24/129 280/179 passage comprising a fairlead is formed in the adjoining plate-like side or hull member which adjoins the deck [56] References cued member. The fairlead passage extends directly into the UNITED S T S PATENTS well at a level beneath the chock. The fitting can also 3,334,914 8/1967 Vierreger 114/218 X serve as a built-in scupper for vessels requiring the 2,472,939 6/1949 Connolly 105/369 A same. 1,694,312 12/1928 Clark 114/218 3,398,922 8/1968 Martin 105/369 A 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typically deck-mounted chocks used on boats, barges, docks, floats and similar applications project up from the deck surface and can be a hazard to walking and an obstacle to unencumbered usage of the deck area. Moreover, it is often difficult to find a suitable location for conventional deck-mounted chocks satisfying the requirements of physical location from which to make a line fast and at the same time provide from that location an adequate range of angular directions of the line leading from the chock without encumbrance to the opposing point of attachment. Usually it is difficult to avoid interference between the line and rail posts, anchors or other stationary objects under some conditions of usage.

Still another difficulty or inconvenience .often encountered with conventional chocks is that of finding at the desired mounting location an adequate structural base or support for mounting of the chock on the existing deck structure, and particularly so in cases wherein the mounted chock may have to withstand heavy line loads imposed in any of different directions.

In broad terms the invention herein is directed generally toward providing an improved combined line securing chock and fairlead fitting overcoming the aforementioned shortcomings and difficulties encountered with prior art devices. A further broad object hereof is to devise a fairlead and chock combination which also may serve where appropriate as a built-in scupper.

Still another object hereof is to devise a combined chock and fairlead fitting with the chock element recessed or set in the surrounding surface such as a deck surface or shallow plate member overlying the same, such that it does not project obtrusively and yet is conveniently accessible for securing and releasing lines to and from the chock.

A further object of the invention is to devise a combined chock and fairlead fitting adapted for mounting at the shear strake of vessels, docks and the like, which may be mounted in any suitable physical location along the strake not already occupied by another element such as a rail post or the like, and which provides an unlimited angular range of directions for the line extending from the fairlead portion of the fitting without interference with or from stationary objects.

A further object hereof is to devise a combined chock and fairlead fitting, the structural loading of which may be transmitted both to hull and to deck structural components through the body portion of the fitting thereby to permit these components to shear the load and also to provide load support which is, because of the angular relationship of such components, more aptly suited to withstand directional loading in any of various directions.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become more fully evident from the following description by reference to the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 are perspective, top and side views respectively of the combination fitting in its preferred form.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As depicted, the fitting body comprises a top platelike deck-mounted member 10 and a side plate-like hull-mounted member 12 integrally joined to the top member in angular relationship. In the example, these two plate-like members are generally rectangular in planar form and meet at right angles, thereby suiting the fitting for installation at the shear strake of a vessel or dock having substantially mutually perpendicular deck and side surfaces. As will be evident, however, the shape of the members 10 and 12 may vary as may their angular relationship to suit different requirements or design preference. For example, if the fitting is to be installed near the transom of a vessel having a reverse flare between the hull and the deck, the top and side members may well form an obtuse angle whereas a similar fitting for mounting at the shear strake near the bow of a vessel having a wide flare may be designed with an acute included angle as small as 60 or even 45. The principle is the same in. each instance and preferably in each case the top member is welded or bolted in or to the deck structure, whereas the side member is welded in or bolted to the hull structure adjoining the deck at the shear strake.

Top member 10 has an upwardly open shallow well 14 therein. A chock 16 is mounted in recessed position in this well. The chock comprises a base portion or leg 16a mounted horizontally on the side of the well adjacent the side plate-like member 12, and projecting inwardly therefrom as a cantilever support for the chocks head 16b, to which it is transversely joined. The enlarged head 16b, elongated in this example, comprises oppositely projecting horns or arms which are transverse to the base portion 16a and project from opposite sides thereof generally parallel to the plane of the deck member 10. Preferably the arm portions of the chocks head are of equal length and the leg portion llSa is mounted centrally between the opposite ends of the well 14. The length of the chock head portion 16b is such and its mounting position established by the base member 16a is such as to provide spacing all around the chock head 16b to pass a line around the ends of the chock and into the space between the head 16b and the adjacent or outer, enclosing side of the well. It will be evident, therefore, that a suitable amount of clearance around the flush-mounted or recessed chock is necessary and desirable in order to handle lines conveniently both in securing and releasing lines to and from the chock. Otherwise, it is desirable to minimize the amount of spacing or gap between the chock and the surrounding sides of the well 14 so as to avoid excessive recesses or depressions in the deck surface into which a person may step inadvertently and sprain an ankle or stub a toe.

A fairlead passage 18 is formed in and through the side plate-like member 12 immediately beneath the position of the chock leg portion This fairlead passage extends directly into the well and preferably is merged with the bottom surface of the well as shown best in FIG. 2 so as to afford a smoothly continuous passage for insertion of the end of a line L into and through the well to be grasped by the seaman above decks and thereupon made fast around the horns of the chock. In the example, the line L is shown provided with a preformed bight or loop which will be inserted through the fairlead passage 18 beneath the chock,

grasped by hand in the well 14 and thereupon slipped over the ends of the horn into the position depicted by broken lines in FIG. 1.

In order to accommodate lines and to avoid injuring the hands and also to facilitate usage of the device, it is preferred that all corners be smoothly and gently rounded. This minimizes frictional wear and also avoids stress concentrations in the line which, when Working under loads, would otherwise chafe and wear. Moreover, the inner end of fairlead passage 18 is proximately and directly adjacent to the chock base portion 18, a relationship in the fitting which enables the fitting to be relatively small and compact for the multiple functions which it performs and which usually are performed by separately mounted, spaced and more bulky independent fittings.

In the example, no holes are prebored in the platelike top or side members and 12 inasmuch as it is assumed that these members will be placed upon and welded to the deck and bull, or will be received in and welded to adjoining notches formed in the deck and hull at the shear strake. Alternatively, however, the fitting may be placed in a position of overlap to either or both the deck and hull side so as to be bolted to these structures, there being suitable cutouts in one or both the deck and hull side in order to accommodate the underside convexities formed by the parts of members 10 and 12 which shape the well 14 and the passage 18. These are details of design and may vary according to choice or necessity in particular installations. It is contemplated, however, that in most applications two or three standardized designs of the fitting for each linesize requirement will suffice for the ranging needs of most types of installations.

In FIG. 2, it will be seen that the fitting is mounted flush in the deck D and hull l-I. However, as depicted by the line B, it will be seen that the fitting may also be mounted in the top or rail and adjoining side portions of a bulkhead or bull rail B. In the event the fitting is mounted flush in the deck D adjacent to and in the hull H, and there happens also to be a rail or bulwark H projecting upwardly from the edge of the deck B as depicted by H in FIG. 2, it will be evident that there is significant value in the functioning of the fitting as a scupper permitting escaping water to flow readily down through the well 14 and out through the passage 18. In that event additional scuppers may or may not be needed depending upon the number of combination fittings provided in an installation. In any event, the fitting is useful in removal of water in such a case, and this is accomplished without necessity of any additional refinements or design variations beyond those inherent in the fitting for the performance of its primary functions.

In the illustration, it will be seen that the shape of chock 16 follows the customary shape employed with most conventional chocks of the type that are mounted on a pedestal or plate to project above deck level. In this case, however, it will be seen that the fitting is set horizontally substantially flush with the deck plane and that the outer face of the plate-like member 12 through which the fairlead passage 18 emerges is at the exterior face of the hull and is therefore completely free and clear of any physical stationary parts of the vessel such as anchors, rail posts, or other devices. The line L is therefore free to depart from the plane of the exterior surface of number 12 at any angle and, because of the cooperative relationship between the members 10 and 5 jacent structure of the vessel without undue stress on any one part, than in the case of a deck-mounted cleat of conventional form wherein the pedestal or base of the cleat is mounted entirely upon the deck and its loads must be borne entirely by the deck structure and sometimes at a mechanical disadvantage. Thus, and since the fairlead passage 18 emerges substantially flush with the hull side and inasmuch as the outer edges of the plate-like member 12 extend some distance laterally from the edges of the fairlead opening 18, it will be seen that loads are borne well by the fitting without undue stress upon the fitting parts or upon the vessels structure to which the fitting is attached.

Furthermore, it will be seen that the flush-mounted position of the cleat l8 avoids any projections above deck level other than a possible wrap or two of line around the chock 16, so that the deck is relatively free and uncluttered. If it be desired to recess even these line wraps the chock base may be further recessed or its top side dipped downwardly.

In addition it will be seen that such a fitting mounted upon both a vessel and upon a dock to which the vessel is to be secured provides a virtually ideal means of interconnecting them, as it does between two adjacent vessels to be tied together. Inasmuch also as the fairlead passage 18 forms a peripherally closed or continuous passage, there is no danger of the line working out of the fairlead opening as it may in the case of a troughlike surface fitting of the type serving as fairlead on the bull rail of many craft.

These and other aspects of the invention will be evident from the foregoing and within description of its perferred embodiment, and it is therefore intended that the claims which follow be not construed strictly in accordance with the example by which the invention is illustratively described.

I claim:

1. A line securement fitting for boats and the like comprising a top member adapted to be set substantially flush with a deck and having an upwardly open well therein with a line securement cleat set into said well at a level not projecting materially above deck level but located above the bottom of said well, and a side member adapted for positioning along the boat side adjoining said deck and having a fairlead passage therein opening outwardly from the side of the vessel and extending therefrom directly into the well beneath the cleat.

2. The fitting defined in claim 1, wherein the cleat comprises a support member projecting as a cantilever into the well from one side thereof generally parallel with the deck, and a head comprising an enlargement on the projecting end of the support member.

3. A combination fairlead and securing chock for boats and the like, comprising a body with mutually angled first and second exterior faces forming an exterior corner of the order of ninety degrees, the first face having a recess therein with an entrance in said first face and with side walls which extend inwardly from said first face and together merge into a fairlead passage which turns and opens through the second face large enough to pass a line through the passage, a chock having a head portion and a base portion, the base portion having one end supporting the head portion, the base portion at its opposite end being joined to one side wall of the recess in a position to project transversely across the recess entrance in one direction and to support the head portion extending transversely to the base portion and generally across and within the entrance of the recess, with the head portion being spaced inwardly from the side walls of the recess sufficiently to permit passing a line between such head portion and side walls.

4. The combination defined in claim 3, wherein the chock base portion is joined to the recess side wall adjacent the second face.

5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein the chock base and head portions together form an approxsecond faces. 

1. A line securement fitting for boats and the like comprising a top member adapted to be set substantially flush with a deck and having an upwardly open well therein with a line securement cleat set into said well at a level not projecting materially above deck level but located above the bottom of said well, and a side member adapted for positioning along the boat side adjoining said deck and having a fairlead passage therein opening outwardly from the side of the vessel and extending therefrom directly into the well beneath the cleat.
 2. The fitting defined in claim 1, wherein the cleat comprises a support member projecting as a cantilever into the well from one side thereof generally parallel with the deck, and a head comprising an enlargement on the projecting end of the support member.
 3. A combination fairlead and securing chock for boats and the like, comprising a body with mutually angled first and second exterior faces forming an exterior corner of the order of ninety degrees, the first face having a recess therein with an entrance in said first face and with side walls which extend inwardly from said first face and together merge into a fairlead passage which turns and opens through the second face large enough to pass a line through the passage, a chock having a head portion and a base portion, the base portion having one end supporting the head portion, the base portion at its opposite end being joined to one side wall of the recess in a position to project transversely across the recess entrance in one direction and to support the head portion extending transversely to the base portion and generally across and within the entrance of the recess, with the head portion being spaced inwardly from the side walls of the recess sufficiently to permit passing a line between such head portion and side walls.
 4. The combination defined in claim 3, wherein the chock base portion is joined to the recess side wall adjacent the second face.
 5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein the chock base and head portions together form an approximate T configuration set into the recess substantially parallel to its entrance.
 6. The combination defined in claim 5, wherein the body comprises generally flat plate-like members joined in angular relationship along a common edge and faces of which respectively comprise said first and second faces.
 7. The combination defined in claim 3, wherein the body comprises generally flat plate-like memBers joined in angular relationship along a common edge and faces of which respectively comprise said first and second faces. 